Neal Shipley finishes productive weekend; ties for 20th in PGA Tour event

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, June 30, 2024 | 9:33 PM

Neal Shipley’s first taste of the PGA Tour turned out to be tasteful.

The Mt. Lebanon native and 2019 Central Catholic grad, received a sponsor’s exemption to play in the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, and he made it pay off.

Shipley shot an even-par 72 during the final round and ended tied for 20th at 11-under-par 277. He left with a paycheck of $113,068. He had three birdies and three bogeys during his round.

He finished with 17 birdies, two eagles and 10 bogeys. In the first three rounds, he shot 67, 68 and 71.

Shipley was a 2-under through 13 holes Sunday at the Detroit Golf Club. He birdied Nos. 4, 5 and 13.

Back-to-back birdies for Neal Shipley ????

The @PGATOURAmericas member looks to earn his first career top 10 on TOUR @RocketClassic. pic.twitter.com/5qTlcPf0NP

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 30, 2024

This was his first PGA Tour event and his second pro event since finishing as low amateur at the U.S. Open. He also was low amateur at the Masters.

He tied for ninth in his first pro event, the PGA Tour Americas Victoria Open in Victoria, British Columbia. Shipley earned a spot in the tour before the Masters.

Shipley will compete in the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill., on another sponsor’s exemption.

This past week, Shipley threw out the first pitch at the Detroit Tigers game on Monday and had a sandwich at Primanti’s named in his honor called the “Sand-Wedge.”

Cam Davis won the Rocket Mortgage Classic for the second time, closing with a 2-under 70 that gave him a one-shot victory when Akshay Bhatia three-putted from 32 feet on the final hole.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Central Catholic